What Changed for 2026

Beginning Farmer Premium Subsidy — Extended to 10 Years

The extra 10% premium discount for beginning farmers and ranchers now lasts for the first 10 years of operation, up from 5 years previously. Additional graduated subsidy in years 1–3.

Premium Subsidy Increases — All Producers

Federal premium subsidies for individual crop insurance policies increased by 3–5 percentage points across all coverage levels. This means every farmer pays less for the same coverage.

SCO Subsidy Increase — 65% to 80%

The Supplemental Coverage Option (county-level top-up coverage) premium subsidy jumped from 65% to 80%. Same increase applies to ECO, MCO, and similar products. This makes supplemental coverage dramatically cheaper.

Whole-Farm Revenue Protection — 90% Coverage

WFRP maximum coverage level increased from 85% to 90%, with the same subsidy rate as the old 85% level. Particularly valuable for diversified and specialty crop operations.

LFP Drought Trigger — D2 Now 4 Weeks Instead of 8

Ranchers now qualify for LFP payments after just 4 consecutive weeks of D2 (Severe Drought), down from 8. This means faster access to payments when drought hits.

LIP Predation Payments — Increased to 100%

Livestock killed by federally protected predators (wolves, grizzly bears, eagles) are now compensated at 100% of market value, up from 75%. Weather-related deaths remain at 75%.

ARC/PLC Reference Prices — Increased

Reference prices for covered commodities (corn, soybeans, wheat, etc.) were raised, increasing the likelihood and size of PLC and ARC payments. The payment limit was raised to $155,000 per person for commodity programs.

ARC/PLC Election — Now Mandatory Annual

Producers must make an active ARC or PLC election each year. No more defaulting to the previous year's choice. SCO is now available with ARC — you can stack SCO with both ARC and PLC.

Base Acre Allocation — Up to 30 Million New Acres

Farms with recent planting history exceeding their current base acres may receive additional base acre allocations, expanding eligibility for ARC/PLC payments.

2018 Farm Bill Extended Through September 30, 2026

Conservation programs (EQIP, CSP, CRP), FSA loan programs, and disaster assistance continue under existing rules. A new farm bill is being discussed but has not passed. All current program structures remain in effect at least through the end of FY2026.

What this means for you: Apply for EQIP, CSP, and FSA loans now under current rules. Don't wait for a new farm bill — the programs are open and funded.

Regenerative Pilot Program — $700M through EQIP + CSP

NRCS launched the Farmer First Regenerative Pilot Program in December 2025 as the FY2026 first funding cycle. $400M is set aside through EQIP and $300M through CSP, and each state reserves 25% of its EQIP and CSP financial assistance for regenerative applications. The Pilot bundles EQIP and CSP into a single whole-farm application with a required whole-farm assessment, at least one of 15 primary regenerative practices, and soil health testing in the first and last year of the contract.

Important: the Pilot does not change how regular EQIP or CSP payments work. It is a separate ranking pool that uses EQIP and CSP money. See the full Regenerative Pilot guide.

National January 15 Batching Deadline — First Time

For the first time, NRCS used a national January 15, 2026 batching deadline for the first funding round of EQIP, CSP, ACEP, AMA, and the Regenerative Pilot Program. Historically, ranking dates were set state-by-state. After January 15, applications are continuous sign-up; states set their own second batching periods (Texas, for example, announced May 22, 2026 as its second CSP/Regenerative Pilot batch).

Farmer Bridge Assistance (FBA)

$11 billion one-time payment for producers of 20 covered row-crop commodities based on 2025 planted acres. Per-acre rates range from $8.05 (flax) to $132.89 (rice). Enrollment deadline: April 17, 2026. $155K cap per producer.

Action required: Enroll online at landmark.usda.gov/fba with a Login.gov account, or at your local FSA office. See the full FBA guide.

Assistance for Specialty Crop Farmers (ASCF)

$1 billion in bridge payments for specialty crops, sugar, and commodities not covered by FBA (fruits, vegetables, tree nuts, herbs, nursery, floriculture, and more). Acreage reporting reopened through April 24, 2026. Payment rates will be published after April 24.

Action required: File or correct your 2025 acreage report at your local FSA office by April 24. See the full ASCF guide.